Spector Murder Trial Begins Today in LA

Opening arguments are scheduled to begin today in the Los Angeles murder trial of renowned music producer Phil Spector. Prosecutors say he shot and killed B-movie actress Lana Clarkson, 40, after meeting her at a nightclub on Feb. 3. 2003 and taking her home to his Alhambra mansion.

However, prosecutors don’t believe Spector, now 67, intentionally killed Clarkson, according to the AP. Hence, he was charged with second-degree murder, because of his alleged reckless behavior concerning her death.

Spector’s chauffeur was waiting outside the mansion, and subsequently told investigators he heard a shot around 5 a.m. Then Spector came out holding a gun, saying, ”I think I shot somebody,” the AP article reports. Spector later called Clarkson’s death ”an accidental suicide,” the article continues.

For more details about the case, see this Slate article. For information about Spector’s innovative career as a producer of 1960s rock and roll music, see this LA Times story. It notes that few on the jury had heard of him, apparently because they are a generation or two removed from the rock ‘n’ roll era.